infidels; and we hesitate not to say, that by the narrative itself, independent of the reflections, we should easily have discerned the Christian principles of the author of the present work. The reflections however are by no means superfluous; they are well calculated to assist the minds of the rising generation in making a suitable improvement of historical facts, and in training them to think for themselves when other histories are put into their hands. We cannot speak too highly of the moral, religious, and evangelical strain of these parts of the performance. It was not necessary that they should discover great depth of research; there is in them what is far preferable, a great variety of matter appropriate to the subjects of the different essays.

The author seems to be aware of the peculiar difficulties which are connected with the compilation of modern history, and especially that of our own times, while prejudices are in full action, and exert an influence" both on the author and his readers, of which they are unconscious: but we think he has generally succeeded in his endeavour to make a strictly impartial statement, as though the facts related, instead of having occurred within our own remembrance, had taken place some thousand years ago.

The former parts of his work have already been acceptable to persons of different views respecting political and ecclesiastical affairs; and he appears to us, without sacrificing principle, so to have steered his course as to have avoided offence to all parties, except to those inflexible claimants of the highest divine rights for despotism, on the one hand, or those promoters of insubordination to legitimate authorities, on the other, whom no good man would wish to please. In a word, we can recommend these volumes with the utmost cordiality, as highly conducive to the best interests of the rising generation, and which we hope may prove a blessing to our children's children.

The Establishment of the Law by the Gospel. By W. Hamilton, Minister of Strathblane. 12mo. 5s. THIS is a very able book. Something like this was much wanted, to repel the gainsaying of these who call themselves by the name of Christ, while they are in reality aliens from the faith, and secretly say to themselves, his yoke is grievous to be borne; and being haters

of holiness, they throw their foul aspersions on those who adorn their profession by the practice of Christian virtue. In a word, the charge of Antinomianism is often loudly preferred against all who are zealous in the cause of genuine Christianity; who preach the remission of sins by the atonement of the Saviour, and the insufficiency of human righteousness, when tried by the unbending standard of God's law.

The charge made against Evangelical preaching is, in brief, that it gives unlimited licence to commit sin, inasmuch as all sins are forgiven to them that believe in Jesus. The charge is grossly false, if it be made against the doctrine, which we hold to be that of the Bible, "that without holiness no man shall see the Lord," and which we are certain is the doctrine taught by all the pastors designated Evangelical. It is more grossly false if it be made against the Scriptures, in which there is no foundation for such a doctrine, otherwise, the precepts so clearly taught in the parables of the Saviour, not to mention the whole tenor of the New Testament, would be in opposition to the principle of a licence for sin.

This false charge Mr. Hamilton meets by manly and irresistible arguments, set forth in rather an uncommon, but an eloquent and varied style. He is par ticularly rich in illustrations, which he takes unsparingly from every department of human science and knowledge, so as to make all his proofs and arguments cumulative, through the force and variety of his illustrations. Perhaps there is even too much of learned illustration for common readers; and this is a fault very easily fallen into.

Mr. Hamilton's work contains a train of argument on the perpetuity of the law, proving that the law is retained under the Gospel dispensation by evidence drawn from the ministry of Christ and the Apostles, and from the very nature and character of the Gospel. After urging this proof, he shows most satisfactorily the consistency between salvation by grace and the practice of good works. He goes on to state his views of the means by which the Gospel establishes the law, from the proof which it affords of its obligation, and the necessity of obeying it; from the love which it inspires of holiness, righteousness, and performing our duties; from the assistance which it affords for the performance of the services enjoined by it. He concludes his masterly and Evangelical observations by a statement

and remarks on the evidence which known facts afford of the moral efficacy of the Gospel; the importance in this view of Evangelical truth; and the necessity of believers maintaining a holy and consistent conduct, both for the sake of adorning their profession of Christianity in the eyes of gainsayers, and also of rendering themselves meet for the society of the blessed in heaven; as "without holiness no man shall see the Lord."

Such are the contents of this respectable little work, which we con ceive is calculated to do much good, in stemming the tide of calumny which is rolling so strongly against the bulwarks of the faith which we profess. For such calumnies, it would however be wrong in us to dissemble, we fear there is some foundation.. Ministers there are who state too strongly the one side of the Christian system, and keep the other too much in the back ground; giving partial views only of the Gospel.

We are sorry to remark some Scoticisms, which derogate from the purity of the style, such as the Scotish law term, "Aye and until they choose to violate them." "Without detracting one ace from the law." "The business of our justification," &c. The latter word, business, applied as it is here, we observe is a favourite with Dr. Chalmers as well as Mr. Hamilton; it is certainly objectionable when so applied, as it lowers the tone of the religious sentiment it is meant to express.

Though such expressions however do occasionally occur in Mr. Hamilton's book, it is but very seldom; the general characteristics of his style are elegance and energy.

Anxiety directed; a Sermon preach ed Aug. 9, 1820, at Salters' Hall, before "The Home Missionary Society,' and published at their request. By W. Jay. 8vo. 1s. 6d.

THERE is a quaintness in the title, and a singularity in the text of this discourse (1 Cor. vii. 32, 33), as applied to this subject, that rather surprised us, as coming from Mr. Jay; at the same time there is so much good sense in the Sermon itself, and so great ingenuity in applying the text to the occasion, that our surprise was soon changed to admiration. The text relates to Marriage, on which we have a few hints which no man could be better qualified to give; and then the following doctrine is de

duced:-" We should endeavour to please the Lord by being alive to his concerns- Caring for the things that belong unto the Lord." Page 24. we were charmed at the contrasted views and feelings of men and angels. "We are struck with the merchant, the philosopher, the prince, the hero: they gaze with pleasure on the Missionary; on the Sunday School teacher-on the bro ken-hearted penitent." We wish we could transcribe the following page, but we must forbear. In pleading the cause of the Home Missionary Society, in connexion with Foreign Missions, Mr. J. pleads for it as a sister-as a child—and as a friend. In urging motives, he begins with the dying love of the Saviour, and he stops not till he has struck every chord of the human heart that is capable of vibration.

The tranquil and happy decease of God's aged and faithful servant. A Sermon preached at Hare Court, Aldersgate-street, Oct. 8, 1820, on occasion of the decease of the Rev. Joshua Webb. By R. Winter, D.D. 1s. 6d.

MR. WEBB was, for more than 45 years, pastor of one of the most ancient dissenting churches in London. The respectable names of Cockayn, Nesbitt, Hurrion, Bruce, and King, appear in the list of his predecessors. Mr. Webb was educated at Mile End and Homerton, and was ordained in Feb. 1775. Dr. Winter, in this funeral discourse, describes him as a judicious and affectionate preacher, and as an assiduous pastor; exemplary in domestic relations; and, in his intercourse with his brethren, kind, affable, and communicative. When the infirmities of age increased upon him, he was very desirous of obtaining a colleague, who might co-operate with him in his charge, and then succeed him. The Rev. John Davies (who had laboured for sometime in Dublin) being approved by the church and congregation, was settled at Hare Court, in May 1819.In September last, debility rapidly increased upon Mr. W., and he expired en the 27th of that month, in the 76th year of his age.

The funeral text is very appropriate (Job v. 26.) “Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season.' The beau-' tiful figure in this scripture is first fully illustrated, and then applied to the usefullife and tranquil decease of Mr. Webb.

St. Paul's Charge to Timothy, on the duty of preaching the word. A Sermon preached at the Visitation held at Stony Stratford, Aug. 3, 1820. By the Rev. H. Gauntlett, Vicar of Olney, Bucks. 2s.

THIS visitation sermon is far more evangelical than such discourses usually are, From 2 Tim. iv. 1,2. Mr. G. enlarges on the duty of preaching the word,' and then briefly enforces the motives of the text. He clearly states the leading doctrines of the Gospel, points out their harmony with those of the Established Church, and then most faithfully urges them on the serious and practical attention of his Rev. auditors.

In reference to the baptismal controversy, Mr. G. maintains, at some length, and with apparent force of argument, that the Scriptures and the Church hypothetically consider the baptized as spi. ritually regenerate, till evidence appears to the contrary.' We only wish that he may find leisure to pursue the subject.We strongly recommend the perusal of this able sermon to the clergy especially, as being at once manly, faithful and respectful. Yet Mr. G. has fallen occasionally into the error of many of his brethren; that is, of appealing to the language of the Church, as an infallible decision on a controverted point. On the contrary, David, and all the inspired penmen, teach us uniformly to magnify the divine word:-Thy word is very pure; and thy law is the truth.'

The Nature and Importance of the - Christian Sabbath, with Hints for its better Observance, &c. By Rev. R. Stevenson. 18mo. 1s. bds. THIS tract is very judiciously drawn up, and very neatly printed; it is therefore well adapted for circulation among the middle and superior classes. Of Mr. S.'s talents as a writer, we have spoken very recently.

The Tyranny of the Church of Rome, translated from the Latin of Francis Turrettine, S. T. P. With a Preleminary Dissertation, shewing that the principles and spirit of Popery are the same now as at the Reformation. By T. Rankin. 8vo. 2s. 6d. OUR learned readers are well acquainted with the writings of the great Turrettine; but the plain and pious English reader will be happy ia having this Essay brought before him in his own native tongue. It were a waste of words to eulogise the masterly and conclusive reasoning of this great man.-We could have wished that the Editor (Mr. Rankin)

He

had placed his Dissertation last. might have termed it Historic Proofs" that Popery is the same now as in past ages up to the Reformation: for such in fact is the Dissertation. He has indeed been most laborious in collecting and arranging his evidence, and he has established the fact, and a melancholy fact it is, that Popery is unchanged and unchangeable in its principles and spirit. And surely no Protestants ought to be indifferent to such a fact, when they are informed that the Catholics in England alone have had a sevenfold increase in the space of 39 years, and that their present number is about 500,000. Let no one relax in his opposition to the principles of Popery-and especially the worst of its principles-that of persecu tion. Let us,' says Mr. Rankin,quench the spark, lest we should be unable to extinguish the flame. dry up the source, lest we should be unable to stay the torrent.'

Let us

By

Rustic Conversations, &c. B. Kent. 3d edit. corrected, with a 3d part. 12mo. 6d. fine edit. 8d. WE noticed favourably the 1st edition of this tract in our 24th vol. p. 514, and are glad to see it in a 3d edition, because we consider it well calculated to benefit the class of persons for whose advantage it was principally written-namely, the frequenters of fairs, and cordially wish this laudable attempt to reclaim such may be extensively successful. The characters are well sketched, and the conversations natural. Those persons whose piety and benevolence lead them to the cottages of the poor, would do well to add these "Rustic Conversations" to their other expressions of kindness.

As this is said to be a corrected edition, we were not a little surprised, in opening on the preface, to find the following proposition; "The children of this world are not yet so wise in their generation as the children of light;" this we suppose to be as opposite to the author's meaning as to our Lord's doc trine; and ought to be cancelled.

fourth, fully justify the account we then gave. The pious author has been induced to publish a second volume, containing 52 more addresses, from texts of scripture so judiciously selected, that, at the first hearing, they are calculated to strike the minds of children. They are discussed in such a strain of pious earnest ness, and come so directly home to the feelings of a litte auditory, that they are adapted to make impressions which, it is hoped, will not soon be erased.

Among other circumstances of a highly interesang nature, and most admirably adapted to the capacities of a child, there is scarcely to be found a single address which does not contain some striking anecdote. Our limits will only allow us to mention one :

"A sunday-school boy, who was about to change his place, was asked one day, why he was so pleased at the prospect of a change of situation? He answered, because I shall leave my swearing companions, who work with me, and shall go to live with a good man."

We could wish these interesting addresses were introduced into every Sunday School in the United Kingdom. At this season of the year it is common to make presents to young persons, and such a new year's gift as these two vols. would be more useful than all the toys of either Holland or India.

w.

Swedenborgianism, depicted in its true colours; or a contrast between the Holy Scriptures and the writings of Baron Swedenborg, on a variety of important subjects. By J. G. Pike. 8vo. pp. 48.

WE confess we are not much acquainted with the writings of the visionary Baron, nor have we the authorities to compare ; but if Mr. P. has quoted fairly, which we see no reason to doubt, it is not easy to find two systems more opposite than those of the Scriptures and the New Jerusalem Church. On the question of the Trinity, the disciples of Swedenborg appear to be Sabellians; and Socinians on the atonement. As to the Baron himself, we have no suspicion of his being an impostor; but we think that he had studied spiritual senses and mystical meanings till they turned his brain, and it is wonderful to us that any person in his sober senses can be the disciple of such a man.

LITERARY NOTICES. THE 8th and concluding vol. of the Rev. John Howe's Works, containing

Discourses never before published, is it the Press.

A 2d vol. of Mr. Clarke's History of Intolerance is preparing for publication, which will bring it down to the present time.

Mr. Brown, of Whitby, means to publish a 2d vol. of Religious Letters.

In the PRESS.-The Christian Preach-er's Assistant, (chiefly compiled) by And. Ritchie. foclscap 8vo. -A smail Work on the Privileges and Obligations of Christian Parents and their Chil dren.-A 2d vol. of Sacred Lyrics, by Mr. Edmeston.-A New Edition of Mr., Foster's Essay on Popular Ignorance.Enlarged Edition of Lectures on the Christian Sabbath, by Rev. W. Thorn: the profits to aid the erection of a New Chapel at Penrith.-A 3d Edition, im proved, of Brown's Memoirs of Mr... Hervey.-A Sketch of the Life of Ga-leacious Camacciolus.

SELECT LIST.

AUSTIN Park: a (moral) Tale. 12mo. 6s.. Dr. J. P. Smith's Scripture Testimony > to the Messiah. Vols. 2 & 3. £1.

Germs of Thought; or, Rudiments of › Knowledge: intended to promote the Mental and Religious Improvement of Youth. By Thomas Wood. 12mo. 3s.6d.. Letters to a Young Clergyman, by Stevenson M'Gill, D. D. 2d Ed. 12mo. 6s.

Tea-table Chat; or Religious Allegories, told at the tea-table in a se minary for ladies. By R. Burnside, M.A.. vol. i. 12mo. 3s. 6d.

Poems and a Meditation, by Mrs. Spence. 8vo. 1s. 6d.

The Wreath, or Truth and Poetry Entwined. By Rev. T. Young 12mo. 1s. 6d.

A volume of Sermons, by W. Dransfield, of Wednesbury. 4s.

The Pastor's Acknowledgments, a Sermon at the 9th Anniversary of his Ordination. By And. Reed.

A Sermon on the Lord's Prayer. by B. Vale, LL. B. late of C. C. Camb 1s. A Plea for the Education of the Poor, a Sermon by Rev. J. Harm, Horsham. 1s.

A Sermon on the relinquishment of the Bill against the Queen. By Rev. J. Nicholls, Chalford. 1s.

An Address to the Queen (on the same occasion). By a Well-wisher. 1s. Baynes & Son's New Catalogue. An Evangelical Catechism. 6d. Prayers for Sunday School Childrens... By Alf. Bishop. 2d.

"This year thou shalt die." By J. Churchill.-3d.

New Year's Gift, by J. Chapman, 4

FOREIGN.

PEACE SOCIETIES.

WE are informed that several persons possessing considerable zeal and influence, as well Catholics as Protestants, have formed themselves into a Provisional Committee, to consider the most expedient means of establishing a Society in France, for the promotion of Peace on Christian principles. Among the former, we see the names of the Baron de Gerando, the Baron de Stäel, the Compte de la Borde; and among the latter, Marron, President of the French Protestant Church; Wurtz, an eminent bookseller and a man of talent; Stapfer, ancient Professor of Philoso-, phy; Willm, &c. &c.

From the present state of affairs in France, a Society so directly opposed to the warlike spirit of the country, cannot perhaps inmediately be established; but it is proposed to institute a Society, which shall embrace other objects connected with this, under the title of “ La Societé de amis la morale Chretienne et de la Paix and to pub. lish a monthly Journal, embracing the various objects of the Bible and Mission Societies, the Prison Improvement Societies, &c. &c. avoiding all political discussions and dogmas which divide the professors of Christianity.-Herald of Peace, No. 24, for Dec. 1820.

PRESENT STATE OF THE ORPHAN HOUSE

AT HALLE, IN SAXONY.

MOST of our readers have perused the "Footsteps of Divine Providence" in the foundation of this admirable institution, by the excellent Professor Franke, and it will doubtless afford them much satisfaction to learn its present prosperity, from the pen of the benevolent Dr. Steinkopff. The following is an extract of a letter from him to the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, lately received:

Koethen, Sept. 11th, 1820. EIGHT years ago I had paid a flying visit to Halle. * The few moments which at that period I could devote to a cursory view of "The establishment of A. H. Franke," had filled my mind with such astonishment, that I determined at a future visit to bestow more time and attention on this truly admirable institu.

* See our Supplement, vol. xv. p. 610.

tion. I arrived with my companion, Mr. Blumhardt, on Friday the 8th of Sept. and we agreed to stay over Sunday. We met with the most cordial reception on the part of its two Directors, the Rev. Dr. Knapp and the Chancellor of the University, Dr. Niemeyer. The latter has published his Tour to England, and spoken in terms of the highest commendation of the designs and labours of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Dr. Knapp is weak in body, but full of spirit, and distinguished for his profound learning, genuine piety, and unfeigned humility. Having the supreme inspection of the establishments, they did us the favour of conducting us over the whole of the buildings. In the front you come to the bookseller's, and to the apothecary's shop. Then you enter a large square, on the right of which are the dining rooms, the chapel (which can hold about 1200 young people), and the Canstein Bible Institution; on the left, the schools for the orphans, for the poor boys and girls who attend from the town, and some rooms for students and teachers. At the other extremity you see the Pædagogium, where from 80 to 100 young noblemen and gentlemen receive an education preparatory to their going to the University. Of all the buildings, none interested me more than the Canstein Bible Institution. In connexion with Franke's, it had been established by a truly pious and benevolent nobleman, Baron von Canstein. From May 1712, till the end of 1815, upwards of two millions of entire Bibles, and nearly one million of New Testaments, have issued from its presses in different languages, chiefly in the German; and in the last five years the demands have been so great, that a supply of one hundred thousand copies could not satisfy them. With emotions of peculiar satisfaction we entered the building consecrated to this benevolent work, and saw twelve presses in full opera to another apartment, in which the two tion. Our kind conductors then led us Stanhope presses, lately arrived from London, were placed. "These, said Dr. Niemeyer, are a present from your society, which will remain a lasting monument of British generosity." "And here, added the inspector of the press, are some specimens of printing from stereotype plates, a set of which for a